CDNA encoding a novel human protein tyrosine phosphatase

ABSTRACT

A novel human protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) has been identified and its cDNA has been isolated. This novel PTP, denoted PTP-OB, has a receptor-like three dimensional structure and is present in osteoblasts. PTP-OB is involved in osteoblast differentiation, and modulators of PTP-OB activity in turn modulate osteoblast differentiation, osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast activity.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 08/122,032, filed 14 Sep. 1993 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation plays an important role in the regulation of cellular signal transduction, cell growth and differentiation. The level of tyrosine phosphorylation is controlled by the equilibrium of the activities of the protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) (Cantley, L. C. et al., 1991, Cell, 64, pp.281-302; Fischer, E. H. et al., 1991, Science, 253, pp.401-406; Alexander, D. R. and Cantrell, D. A., 1989, Immunol. Today, 10, pp.200-205; Tonks, N. K. and Charbonneau, H., 1989, Trends Biochem. Sci., 14, pp.497-500; Saito, H. and Streuli, M. 1991. Cell Growth And Differentiation, 2, pp.59-65; Gautier, J. et al., 1991, Cell, 67, pp.197-211; Zheng, X. M. et al., Nature, 359, pp.336-339). It is well documented that tyrosine kinase activities play an important role in the growth and the differentiation of bone cells. M-CSF and its receptor c-fms were shown to be crucial in osteoclast development. Recently Soriano et al. reported that disruption of c-src proto-oncogene, by homologous recombination, induced osteoporosis, that is characterized by the reduction of bone resorption due to impairment of osteoclastic function (Soriano, P. et al., 1991, Cell, 64, pp.693-702; Boyce, B. F. et al., 1992, J.Clin.Invest:, 90, pp.1622-1627). In both in vivo and in vitro experiments it was demonstrated that FGF, IGF-I and IGF-II are important for the osteoblast functions. These findings suggest that the control of tyrosine phosphorylation is clearly important for bone cells.

As mentioned above, protein tyrosine phosphorylation is tightly balanced by the opposing actions of protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases. Treatment of bone cells with orthovanadate, a PTPase inhibitor, resulted in the stimulation of cell proliferation and the synthesis of bone collagen (Lau et al. Endocrinology, 1988, 123, pp. 2858-2867). In organ cultures, vanadate treatment inhibited the stimulation of bone resorption induced by treatment with PTH (Krieger and Tashjian, Endocrinology, 1983, 113, pp. 324-328). Taken together, these findings suggest that PTPases play an important function in bone cells:

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The polymerase chain reaction methodology was used to identify cDNA molecules for several PTPases in bone cells. One of these cDNA clones, named PTP-OB, encoded a novel member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase family. From human cDNA libraries, the entire open reading frame-encoding DNA was cloned for that protein. PTP-OB is composed of 1911 amino acid residues. Sequence analysis revealed two regions of hydrophobic amino acid residues that comprise a putative signal peptide and transmembrane domain, thus indicating PTP-OB as a receptor-like PTPase. The amino acid sequence of PTP-OB shows the best similarity to LAR and LAR related PTPases. As described for LAR, three immunoglobulin-like and eight fibronectin type III-like domains can be identified in the extracellular domain, and two tandem repeats of PTPase domains in the cytoplasmic region. The cDNA clones isolated from human brain library contained a deletion of 1227 bp that maintained the open reading frame, but coded for an extracellular region that was shorter by 409 amino acid residues and one with one amino acid substitution. Hybridization experiments revealed that PTP-OB was expressed as a 7.3 kilo base (kb) mRNA in both bone and brain tissues. The tissue distribution of PTP-OB transcript suggested that this receptor-like PTPase is involved in the growth and differentiation of osteoblasts and brain cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Schematic structure of PTP-OB overlapping cDNA clones were isolated from various human cDNA libraries: PTP-OB-17 from human fetal lung library, PTP-OB-10 human giant cell tumor library and PTP-OB-133 from human fetal brain library are shown, depicting the extracellular region with the signal peptide, the immunoglobulin-like domains (Ig-like), the fibronectin (FN) type III-like domains, the transmembrane (TM) domain and the cytoplasmic region with the PTPase domains.

FIG. 2. Northern blots of RNA from human osteosarcoma (lane 1), human giant cell tumors (lanes 2-5), and rat tibia (lane 6) cells is shown.

FIG. 3. A Northern blot of RNA from human tissues is shown.

FIG. 4. Northem blots of RNA from human tissues is shown on the left, and of RNA from human tumor tissue on the fight two lanes: osteosarcoma (OS) and giant cell tumor (GCT).

FIG. 5A-C. The effect of protein tyrosine phosphatases and protein tyrosine kinase in in vitro osteoclast formation is shown in the presence of (A) orthovanadate, (B) PAO, and (C) geldanamycin.

FIG. 6. The time dependent effect of orthovanadate on osteoclast cell fusion is shown.

FIG. 7A-B. The effect of inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases and protein tyrosine kinase on in vitro bone resorption is shown in the presence of (A) orthovanadate and (B) PAO.

FIG. 8A-B. The enzymatic activity of recombinant PTP-OB is shown (A) alendronate and (B) vandate in the presence and absence of inhibitors.

FIG (A--C. The inhibition of bone resorption is shown by (A) alendronate, (B) vandate, and (C) PAO by inhibition of PTP-OB.

FIG. 10A-D. Inhibition of formation of multinucleated TRAP positive cells by PTP inhibitors ALN, orthovanadate and PAO (A); and time course (day 1-6) inhibition of formation of multinucleated TRAP positive cells by the PTP inhibitor orthovanadate.

FIG. 11. The amino acid sequence of the mouse MPTPε (SEQ ID NO:7) is and has the structure of a transmembrane protein; the signal peptide and transmembrane regions are underlined, and the conserved PTP regions are boxed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cDNA encoding a novel protein tyrosine phosphatase termed PTP-OB. The present invention is also related to recombinant host cells which express the cloned PTP-OB-encoding DNA contained in a recombinant expression plasmid. The present invention is also related to a method for the screening of substances which modulate PTP-OB protein activity. The DNA of the present invention is isolated from PTP-OB producing cells. PTP-OB, as used herein, refers to a protein tyro sine phosphatase which is specifically expressed in bone and brain cells. The present invention also relates to a unique protein tyrosine phosphatase protein, also described as PTP-OB, which is isolated from PTP-OB producing cells. PTP-OB protein, as used herein, refers to a protein tyrosine phosphatase protein which is specifically produced by bone and brain cells.

Mammalian cells capable of producing PTP-OB include, but are not limited to, cells derived from bone such as MB 1.8 and brain cells such as U340. Transformed mammalian cell lines which produce PTP-OB include, but are not limited to, NIH 3T3 cells. The preferred cells for the present invention include normal human HELA, NIH 3T3, U2, and CHO cells and the most preferred cells are human 293 cells.

Other cells and cell lines may also be suitable for use to isolate PTP-OB cDNA. Selection of suitable cells may be done by screening for PTP-OB produced by the cells. Methods for detecting PTP-OB activity are well known in the art (in: Maniatis, T., Fritsch, E. F., Sambrook, J., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 1982) and measure the level of PTP-OB RNA produced by the cells. Cells which possess PTP-OB activity in this assay may be suitable for the isolation of PTP-OB cDNA.

Any of a variety of procedures may be used to clone PTP-OB cDNA. These methods include, but are not limited to, direct functional expression of the PTP-OB cDNA following the construction of an PTP-OB-containing cDNA library in an appropriate expression vector system. Another method is to screen an PTP-OB-Containing cDNA library constructed in a bacteriophage or plasmid shuttle vector with a labelled oligonucleotide probe designed from the amino acid sequence of the PTP-OB protein. The preferred method consists of screening an PTP-OB-containing cDNA library constructed in a bacteriophage or plasmid shuttle vector with a partial cDNA encoding the PTP-OB protein. This partial cDNA is obtained by the specific PCR amplification of PTP-OB cDNA fragments through the design of degenerate oligonucleotide primers from the amino acid sequence known for other PTP-OB-family protein tyrosine phosphatases which are related to the PTP-OB protein.

It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of libraries, as well as libraries constructed from other cells or cell types, may be useful for isolating PTP-OB-encoding DNA. Other types of libraries include, but are not limited to, cDNA libraries derived from other cells or cell lines other than human such as mouse or rat cells, and genomic DNA libraries.

It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that suitable cDNA libraries may be prepared from cells or cell lines which have PTP-OB activity. The selection of cells or cell lines for use in preparing a cDNA library to isolate PTP-OB cDNA may be done by first measuring cell associated PTP-OB activity using the known assay cited above and used herein.

Preparation of cDNA libraries can be performed by standard techniques well known in the art. Well known cDNA library construction techniques can be found for example, in Maniatis, T., Fritsch, E. F., Sambrook, J., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 1982).

It is also readily apparent to those skilled in the an that DNA encoding PTP-OB may also be isolated from a suitable genomic DNA library.

Construction of genomic DNA libraries can be performed by standard techniques well known in the art. Well known genomic DNA library construction techniques can be found in Maniatis, T., Fritsch, E. F., Sambrook, J. in Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 1982).

In order to clone the PTP-OB gene by one of the preferred methods, the amino acid sequence or DNA sequence of PTP-OB or a homologous protein may be necessary. To accomplish this, PTP-OB protein or a homologous protein may be purified and partial amino acid sequence determined by automated sequenators. It is not necessary to determine the entire amino acid sequence, but the linear sequence of two regions of 6 to 8 amino acids can be determined for the PCR amplification of a partial PTP-OB DNA fragment.

Once suitable amino acid sequences have been identified, the DNA sequences capable of encoding them are synthesized. Because the genetic code is degenerate, more than one codon may be used to encode a particular amino acid, and therefore, the amino acid sequence can be encoded by any of a set of similar DNA oligonucleotides. Only one member of the set will be identical to the PTP-OB sequence but others in the set will be capable of hybridizing to PTP-OB DNA even in the presence of DNA oligonucleotides with mismatches. The mismatched DNA oligonucleotides may still sufficiently hybridize to the PTP-OB DNA to permit identification and isolation of PTP-OB encoding DNA.

Using one of the preferred methods, cDNA clones encoding PTP-OB are isolated in a two-stage approach employing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based technology and cDNA library screening. In the first stage, NH₂ -terminal and internal amino acid sequence information from the purified PTP-OB or a homologous protein is used to design degenerate oligonucleotide primers for the amplification of PTP-OB-specific DNA fragments. In the second stage, these fragments are cloned to serve as probes for the isolation of full length cDNA from a cDNA library derived from human osteosarcoma or brain cells.

The sequence for the near full-length cDNA encoding PTP-OB is shown in Seq.Id.No.:6, and was designated clone PTP-OB. The deduced amino acid sequence of PTP-OB from the cloned cDNA is shown in Seq.Id.No.:5. Inspection of the determined cDNA sequence reveals the presence of a single, large open reading frame that encodes for an approximately 1911 amino acid protein.

The cloned PTP-OB cDNA obtained through the methods described above may be recombinantly expressed by molecular cloning into an expression vector containing a suitable promoter and other appropriate transcription regulatory elements, and transferred into prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells to produce recombinant PTP-OB. Techniques for such manipulations can be found described in Maniatis, T, et al., supra, and are well known in the art.

Expression vectors are defined herein as DNA sequences that are required for the transcription of cloned DNA and the translation of their mRNAs in an appropriate host. Such vectors can be used to express eukaryotic DNA in a variety of hosts such as bacteria, bluegreen algae, plant cells, insect cells and animal cells.

Specifically designed vectors allow the shuttling of DNA between hosts such as bacteria-yeast or bacteria-animal cells. An appropriately constructed expression vector should contain: an origin of replication for autonomous replication in host cells, selectable markers, a limited number of useful restriction enzyme sites, a potential for high copy number, and active promoters. A. promoter is defined as a DNA sequence that directs RNA polymerase to bind to DNA and initiate RNA synthesis. A strong promoter is one which causes mRNAs to be initiated at high frequency. Expression vectors may include, but are not limited to, cloning vectors, modified cloning vectors, specifically designed plasmids or viruses.

A variety of mammalian expression vectors may be used to express recombinant PTP-OB in mammalian cells. Commercially available mammalian expression vectors which may be suitable for recombinant PTP-OB expression, include but are not limited to, pMClneo (Stratagene), pXT1 (Stratagene), pSG5 (Stratagene), pcDNAI, pcDN AIamp (Invitrogen), EBO-pSV2-neo (ATCC 37593)pBPV-I(8-2) (ATCC 37110), pdBPV-MMTneo(342-12) (ATCC 37224), pRSVgpt (ATCC 37199), pRSVneo (ATCC 37198), pSV2-dhfr (ATCC 37146), pUCTag (ATCC 37460), and 1ZD35 (ATCC 37565)

DNA encoding PTP-OB may also be cloned into an expression vector for expression in a host cell. Host cells may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic, including but not limited to bacteria, yeast, mammalian cells including but not limited to cell lines of human, bovine, porcine, monkey and rodent origin, and insect cells including but not limited to drosophila derived cell lines. Cell lines derived from mammalian species which may be suitable and which are commercially available, include but are not limited to, CV-1 (ATCC CCL 70), COS-1 (ATCC CRL 1650), COS-7 (ATCC CRL 1651), CHO-K1 (ATCC CCL 61), 3T3(ATCC CCL 92), NIH/3T3 (ATCC CRL 1658), HeLa (ATCC CCL 2), C127I (ATCC CRL 1616), BS-C-1 (ATCC CCL 26) and MRC-5 (ATCC CCL 171).

The expression vector may be introduced into host cells via any one of a number of techniques including but not limited to transformation, transfection, protoplast fusion, and electroporation. The expression vector-containing cells are individually analyzed to determine whether they produce PTP-OB protein. Identification of PTP-OB expressing cells may be done by several means, including but not limited to immunological reactivity with anti-PTP-OB antibodies, and the presence of host cell-associated PTP-OB activity.

Expression of PTP-OB DNA may also be performed using in vitro produced synthetic mRNA. Synthetic mRNA can be efficiently translated in various cell-free systems, including but not limited to wheat germ extracts and reticulocyte extracts, as well as efficiently translated in cell based systems, including but not limited to microinjection into frog oocytes, with microinjection into frog oocytes being preferred.

To determine the PTP-OB cDNA sequence(s) that yields optimal levels of PTP-OB protein, PTP-OB cDNA molecules including but not limited to the following can be constructed: the full-length open reading frame of the PTP-OB cDNA and various constructs containing portions of the cDNA encoding only specific domains of the protein or rearranged domains of the protein. All constructs can be designed to contain none, all or portions of the 5' and/or 3' untranslated region of PTP-OB cDNA. PTP-OB activity and levels of protein expression can be determined following the introduction, both singly and in combination, of these constructs into appropriate host cells. Following determination of the PTP-OB cDNA cassette yielding optimal expression in transient assays, this PTP-OB cDNA construct is transferred to a variety of expression vectors (including recombinant viruses), including but not limited to those for mammalian cells, plant cells, insect cells, oocytes, bacteria, and yeast cells.

Levels of PTP-OB protein in host cells is quantitated by a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, immunoaffinity and/or ligand affinity techniques. PTP-OB-specific affinity beads or PTP-OB-specific antibodies are used to isolate ³⁵ S-methionine labelled or unlabelled PTP-OB protein. Labelled PTP-OB protein is analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Unlabelled PTP-OB protein is detected by Western blotting, ELISA or RIA assays employing PTP-OB specific antibodies.

Following expression of PTP-OB in a host cell, PTP-OB protein may be recovered to provide PTP-OB in active form. Several PTP-OB purification procedures are available and suitable for use. Recombinant PTP-OB may be purified from cell lysates and extracts, or from conditioned culture medium, by various combinations of, or individual application of salt fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, hydroxylapatite adsorption chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography.

In addition, recombinant PTP-OB can be separated from other cellular proteins by use of an immuno-affinity column made with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies specific for full length PTP-OB, or polypeptide fragments of PTP-OB.

Monospecific antibodies to PTP-OB are purified from mammalian antisera containing antibodies reactive against PTP-OB or are prepared as monoclonal antibodies reactive with PTP-OB using the technique of Kohler and Milstein, Nature 256: 495-497 (1975). Monospecific antibody as used herein is defined as a single antibody species or multiple antibody species with homogenous binding characteristics for PTP-OB. Homogenous binding as used herein refers to the ability of the antibody species to bind to a specific antigen or epitope, such as those associated with the PTP-OB, as described above. PTP-OB specific antibodies are raised by immunizing animals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats, horses and the like, with an appropriate concentration of PTP-OB either with or without an immune adjuvant.

Preimmune serum is collected prior to the first immunization. Each animal receives between about 0.1 μg and about 1000 μg of PTP-OB associated with an acceptable immune adjuvant. Such acceptable adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Freund's complete, Freund's incomplete, aim-precipitate, water in oil emulsion containing Corynebactefium parvum and tRNA. The initial immunization consists of the PTP-OB protein in, preferably, Freund's complete adjuvant at multiple sites either subcutaneously (SC), intrapefitoneally (IP) or both. Each animal is bled at regular intervals, preferably weekly, to determine antibody titer. The animals may or may not receive booster injections following the initial immunizaiton. Those animals receiving booster injections are generally given an equal amount of PTP-OB in Freund's incomplete adjuvant by the same route. Booster injections are given at about three week intervals until maximal titers are obtained. At about 7 days after each booster immunization or about weekly after a single immunization, the animals are bled, the serum collected, and aliquots are stored at about -20° C.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) reactive with PTP-OB are prepared by immunizing inbred mice, preferably Balb/c, with PTP-OB. The mice are immunized by the IP or SC route with about 1 μg to about 100 μg, preferably about 10 μg, of PTP-OB in about 0.5 ml buffer or saline incorporated in an equal volume of an acceptable adjuvant, as discussed above. Freund's complete adjuvant is preferred. The mice receive an initial immunization on day 0 and are rested for about 3 to about 30 weeks. Immunized mice are given one or more booster immunizations of about 1 to about 100 μg of PTP-OB in a buffer solution such as phosphate buffered saline by the intravenous (IV) route. Lymphocytes, from antibody positive mice, preferably splenic lymphocytes, are obtained by removing spleens from immunized mice by standard procedures known in the art. Hybridoma cells are produced by mixing the splenic lymphocytes with an appropriate fusion partner, preferably myeloma cells, under conditions which will allow the formation of stable hybridomas. Fusion partners may include, but are not limited to: mouse myelomas P3/NS1/Ag 4-1; MPC-11; S-194 and Sp 2/0, with Sp 2/0 being preferred. The antibody producing cells and myeloma cells are fused in polyethylene glycol, about 1000 mol. wt., at concentrations from about 30% to about 50%. Fused hybridoma cells are selected by growth in hypoxanthine, thymidine and aminopterin supplemented Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) by procedures known in the art. Supernatant fluids are collected form growth positive wells on about days 14, 18, and 21 and are screened for antibody production by an immunoassay such as solid phase immunoradioassay (SPIRA) using PTP-OB as the antigen. The culture fluids are also tested in the Ouchterlony precipitation assay to determine the isotype of the mAb. Hybridoma cells from antibody positive wells are cloned by a technique such as the soft agar technique of MacPherson, Soft Agar Techniques, in Tissue Culture Methods and Applications, Kruse and Paterson, Eds., Academic Press, 1973.

Monoclonal antibodies are produced in vivo by injection of pristane primed Balb/c mice, approximately 0.5 ml per mouse; with about 2×10⁶ to about 6×10⁶ hybridoma cells about 4 days after priming. Ascites fluid is collected at approximately 8-12 days after cell transfer and the monoclonal antibodies are purified by techniques known in the art.

In vitro production of anti-PTP-OB mAb is carded out by growing the hydridoma in DMEM containing about 2% fetal calf serum to obtain sufficient quantities of the specific mAb. The mAb are purified by techniques known in the art.

Antibody titers of ascites or hybridoma culture fluids are determined by various serological or immunological assays which include, but are not limited to, precipitation, passive agglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent antibody (ELISA) technique and radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques. Similar assays are used to detect the presence of PTP-OB in body fluids or tissue and cell extracts.

It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the above described methods for producing monospecific antibodies may be utilized to produce antibodies specific for PTP-OB polypeptide fragments, or full-length PTP-OB polypeptide.

PTP-OB antibody affinity columns are made by adding the antibodies to Affigel-10 (Biorad), a gel support which is pre-activated with N-hydroxysuccinimide esters such that the antibodies form covalent linkages with the agarose gel bead support. The antibodies are then coupled to the gel via amide bonds with the spacer arm. The remaining activated esters are then quenched with 1M ethanolamine HCl (pH 8). The column is washed with water followed by 0.23M glycine HCl (pH 2.6) to remove any non-conjugated antibody or extraneous protein. The column is then equilibrated in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.3) and the cell culture supernatant or cell extracts containing PTP-OB or PTP-OB fragments are slowly passed through the column. The column is then washed with phosphate buffered saline until the optical density (A₂₈₀) falls to background, then the protein is eluted with 0.23M glycine-HCl (pH 2.6). The purified PTP-OB protein is then dialyzed against phosphate buffered saline.

The novel PTP-OB protein tyrosine phosphatase of the present invention is suitable for use in an assay procedure for the identification of compounds which modulate the PTP-OB activity. Modulating PTP-OB activity, as described herein includes the inhibition or activation of the protein and also includes directly or indirectly affecting the normal regulation of the PTP-OB activity. Compounds which modulate the PTP-OB activity include agonists, antagonists, inhibitors, activators, and compounds which directly or indirectly affect regulation of the PTP-OB activity.

The PTP-OB protein tyrosine phosphatase of the present invention may be obtained from both native and recombinant sources for use in an assay procedure to identify PTP-OB modulators. In general, an assay procedure to identify PTP-OB modulators will contain the PTP-OB-protein of the present invention, and a test compound or sample which contains a putative PTP-OB modulator. The test compounds or samples may be tested directly on, for example, purified PTP-OB protein whether native or recombinant, subcellular fractions of PTP-OB-producing cells whether native or recombinant, and/or whole cells expressing the PTP-OB whether native or recombinant. The test compound or sample may be added to the PTF-OB in the presence or absence of a known PTP-OB modulator. The modulating activity of the test compound or sample may be determined by, for example, analyzing the ability of the test compound or sample to bind to PTP-OB protein, activate the protein, inhibit PTP-OB activity, inhibit or enhance the binding of other compounds to the PTP-OB protein, modifying receptor regulation, or modifying an intracellular activity.

The identification of modulators of PTP-OB activity are useful in treating disease states involving the PTP-OB activity such as osteoporosis. Other compounds may be useful for stimulating or inhibiting activity of the enzyme. These compounds are useful for the prevention and treatment of bone loss and the stimulation of bone formation. Such compounds could be of use in the treatment of diseases in which activation or inactivation of the PTP-OB protein results in either cellular proliferation, cell death, nonproliferation, induction of cellular neoplastic transformations or metastatic tumor growth and hence could be used in the prevention and/or treatment of cancers such as lung cancer and osteosarcoma. The isolation and purification of an PTP-OB-encoding DNA molecule would be useful for establishing the tissue distribution of PTP-OB as well as establishing a process for identifying compounds which modulate PTP-OB activity.

Isolated and purified PTP-OB DNA would also be useful for the recombinant production of large quantities of PTP-OB protein. The ability to produce large quantities of the protein would be useful for the production of a therapeutic agent comprising PTP-OB protein. A therapeutic agent comprised of PTP-OB protein would be useful in the treatment of PTP-OB-related diseases or conditions which are PTP-OB responsive.

By molecular cloning and DNA sequencing a new member of the protein tyrosine phosphates gene family, termed PTP-OB, was identified. PTP-OB has a receptor like structure and has the characteristic cytoplasmic protein tyrosine phosphatase region. The protein is composed of 1911 amino acid residues and shares similarities to the tyrosine phosphatases LAR, PTPδ and other known LAR related PTPases. Sequence analysis revealed two highly hydrophobic regions in PTP-OB protein. One, located at the amino terminus end, is likely to be the signal peptide. The second highly hydrophobic segment that is followed by positively charged residues is likely to serve as a transmembrane domain. In the cytoplasmic region, PTP-OB contains two tandem PTPase-like domains that are found in PTPase family. Sequence comparison with the known PTPases demonstrated that PTP-OB is homologues to LAR and PTPδ (Streuli, M. et al., 1988, J.Exp. Med., 1.68, pp.1523-1530; Krueger, N. X. et al., 1990, EMBO J., 9, pp.3241-3252). The overall amino acid sequence homology approaches 68% and 59% respectively. Although the primary amino acid of extracellular regions diverged from that of LAR, the extracellular region of PTP-OB was observed to contain the three Ig-like domains and eight fibronectin type-Ill like domains that were found in LAR (Streuli, M. supra).

Northern hybridization experiments with RNA from various cell and tissues indicated that both PTP-OB and PTPδ were expressed in bone and brain derived cells or tissues. Relatively high levels of PTP-OB and PTPδ transcripts were found in RNA isolated from human osteosarcoma tumor, human giant cell rumor, rat tibia and in relatively mature cultured osteoblasts isolated from mouse calvaria. Since osteosarcoma tumor is abundant with osteoblastic cells, and giant cell rumor is a mixed cell population of multinucleated osteoclast-like cells and osteoblastic cells and other non defined cells, it is likely that in bone, the osteoblastic cells were the source of PTP-OB and PTPδ RNA. In addition to the expression in bone RNA encoding PTP-OB and PTPδ were found in human brain as well in RNA isolated from the human glioblastoma rumor cell line U340. Overall, the expression of PTP-OB was more restricted to brain or bone derived cells and tissues than that of PTPδ. In addition to the expression in brain and bone, low levels of PTPδ were found in RNA isolated from lung, liver, kidney and pancreas. Although the complete sequence of PTPδ is not known, from the available sequences, it appeared to be structurally related to LAR and to PTP-OB. Studies with the similar PTPases in drosophila, suggested that these receptor-like PTPases that share structural features with cell adhesion molecules are involved with cell to cell or cell to matrix interactions. For both brain and bone, cell to cell or cell to matrix contacts are continually modified in an ongoing process. In bone, these receptor-like PTPases, may regulate the interaction of osteoblasts with each other or with the bone matrix. Experiments with cultured osteoblats, showed that vanadate, a PTPase inhibitor, stimulated cell proliferation and the synthesis of bone collagen (Lau et al, supra). These findings, suggest that these PTPases may play an important function in osteoblasts and their exact functions are yet to be determined.

Mouse bone marrow cells are induced to differentiate into osteoclast-like cells by co-culture with neonatal calvaria osteoblasts, in the presence of 1,25(OH)₂ D₃. These cells can resorb bone and exhibit markers, such as TRAP positive staining, calcitonin receptors and vitronecfin receptors, that are associated with osteoclasts. Furthermore, like primary osteoclasts, the cells contain multiple nuclei as a result of cell fusion [Takahashi, N. T., N. Akastu, Udagawa, T. Sasaki, A. Yamaguchi, J. M. Mosley, T. J. Martin, and T. Suda. 1988. Osteoblastic cells are involved in osteoclast formation. Endocrinology 123: 2600-2602]. TRAP positive cells produced in the co-culture of osteoblasts and bone marrow cells can be recognized starting at four days of co-culture. The majority of the multinucleated osteoclast-like cells (70-80%) appear after six to seven days.

To identify the PTPs expressed in osteoclasts, a cDNA library prepared from the in vitro-generated mouse osteoclasts was screened under non-stringent hybridization conditions. A cDNA fragment that codes for the amino acid residues of the cytoplasmic region of PTPα was used as probe [Kaplan, R., B. Morse, K. Huebner,. C. Croce, R. Howk, M. Ravera, G. Ricca, M. Jaye, and J. Schlessinger. 1990. Cloning of three human tyrosine phosphatases reveals a multigene family of receptor-linked protein-tyrosine-phosphatases expressed in brain. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 7000-7004; Sap, J., P. D'Eustachio, D. Givol, and J. Schlessinger. 1990. Cloning and expression of a widely expressed receptor tyrosine phosphatase. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 6112-6116; Matthews, R. J., E. D. Cahir, and M. L. Thomas. 1990. Identification of an additional member of the protein-tyrosine-phosphatase family: evidence for alternative splicing in the tyrosine phosphatase domain. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 87: 4444-4448; Krueger, N. X., M. Streuli, and H. Saito. 1990. Structural diversity and evolution of human receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatases. EMBO J. 9: 3241-3252]. Several positive clones were obtained, and were analyzed by restriction enzyme digestion and cDNA sequencing. It was found that in addition to the cDNA for mouse PTPα, many clones were obtained that coded for a different PTP similar to the subsequently published human hPTPε, cloned from a cDNA library of human placenta [Krueger et al., supra]. We consider this to be the cDNA of mouse PTPε (mPTPε).

Sequence analysis revealed that the mouse mPTPε is composed of 699 amino acid residues and has the structure of a transmembrane protein (FIG. 11 [SEQ.ID.NO.1]). A putative signal peptide is located next to the translation start site and a hydrophobic region between amino acid residues 47 to 70 is most likely a transmembrane domain. Similar to the hPTPε, the mPTPε contains a cytoplasmic region with two tandem catalytic domains and a relatively short extracellular domain of 45-47 amino acid residues. In the putative mature protein, the extracellular region would be of 25 to 27 amino acid residues with two potential N-glycosylation sites. As indicated for hPTPε, no stop codon precedes the first codon for methionine, therefore it is noteworthy that although the 5' untranslated sequences of hPTPε and mPTPε are different, the putative translation start site of mPTPε is identical to that of hPTPε. Overall, the mPTPε and the hPTPε share 93% of the amino acid residues; most of the sequence differences are concentrated in the putative extracellular regions. Compared to human PTPε, the mouse PTPε(SEQ. ID.NO.:7) has a few amino acid substitutions, a deletion of two amino acids in the transmembrane domain and an additional amino acid residue in the short extracellular region.

Tissue distribution of PTPε expression. Hybridization of mPTPε cDNA to the mRNA isolated from enriched populations of in vitro differentiated osteoclastic cells revealed a major transcript of about 5 kb and a minor transcript of about 2 kb. Hybridization of mPTPε cDNA to mRNA isolated from rat tissues, including spleen, uterus, intestine, brain, muscle, bone (tibia), lung, ovary, liver, kidney and heart did not reveal any PTPε transcripts. In similar hybridization experiments, no PTPε transcripts in mRNA isolated from the following human tissues were detected: brain, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, and pancreas. To further test whether PTPε is expressed in osteoclasts from other species, we tested the expression of PTPε in a human giant cell rumor (osteoclastoma) and in an in vitro generated chicken osteoclast preparation, both highly enriched in multinucleated osteoclastic cells. PTPε transcripts were present in RNA from both sources. No expression of PTPε was found in osteosarcoma tumors that do not contain osteoclasts, or in RNA isolated from granulomatous tissue that is rich in other cell types.

To study the potential role of PTPε in osteoclasts, we followed the expression of PTPε during osteoclast differentiation. Total RNA was isolated from 1,25(OH)₂ D₃ -treated co-cultures of bone marrow and from osteoblastic mouse calvaria cells at various time points, and the expression of PTPε was assessed by Northern hybridization. We found that PTPε expression correlated with osteoclast differentiation. PTPε mRNA was first detected at four days of co-culture and increased thereafter to reach maximal expression at six days, when the number of osteoclasfic cells peaked. No PTPε mRNA transcripts were detected when 1,25(OH)₂ D₃ (10 nM) was omitted from the co-culture or when osteoblasts were cultured alone, with or without 1,25(OH)₂ D₃. The PTPε mRNA was enriched several-fold in RNA prepared from enriched osteoclasts. These observations indicate that the RNA for PTPε originated from the osteoclasts and not from the osteoblasts.

Since PTPα has a widespread tissue distribution, and is very similar to PTPε, we tested the expression of this PTP in the co-cultured cells. Hybridization with the PTPα cDNA to the same filters showed that PTPα mRNA was constitutively expressed and did not change during the co-culture period. The PTPα RNA was present in both the cultured osteoblasts and the co-cultured cells and was not dependent on the presence of 1,25(OH)₂ D₃. The level of PTPα transcripts was lower in RNA isolated from the enriched osteoclasts, which could be due to osteoblast contamination or lower levels of PTPα in osteoclastic cells.

The following examples are provided as illustrative of the present invention without, however, limiting the same thereto.

EXAMPLE 1

Primer Design

Degenerate DNA primers were designed to recognize the coding region of the conserved amino acid residues of a typical protein. tyrosine phosphatase domain. The sense primer, PH4, was the degenerate oligomer, 5'

CTTCTAGAA(A/G)TG(T/C)GC(G/T/C/A)CA(A/G)TA(T/C)TGGCC (SQ. ID.NO.:1) that was prepared according to the conserved amino acid residues Lys Cys Ala Gln Txr Trp Pro (SEQ.ID.NO.:2). The antisense primer, PH2a, 5'.

GAAGCTTCC(C/A)A(C/T)(G/C/T/A/)CCTGCAC(T/A)(A/G)CA(G/A) TG(C/G/T/A)AC(SEQ.ID.NO.:3 ), was designed to complement the DNA sequences coding for the amino acid residues Val His Cys Ser Ala Gly Val Gly (SEQ.ID.NO.:4) of the tyrosine phosphatase domain.

cDNA Amplification

Single stranded randomly primed cDNA was prepared with the Mo-MLV reverse transcriptase (BRL) from RNA isolated from a human osteosarcoma Saos-2/B 10 cells. The cDNA reaction (25 μl) was diluted into 300 μl water and heat denatured at 95° C. for 5 minutes and quickly chilled on ice. The cDNA (5 μl) and the above primer pair, PH2a and PH4 (0.5 μM each) were employed in the amplification reaction with the Amplitaq kit and the DNA thermal cycler (Perkin Elmer, Cetus). The amplification cycles were as follows: denaturation at 94° C., 70 seconds; annealing at 50° C. for 135 seconds; 3 minutes of gradual increase of the temperature to 72° C.; extension at 72° C., 4 minutes for 40 cycles. The amplified fragments were separated by electrophoresis on 5% polyacrylamide gel, cloned into plasmids and sequenced. The cDNA clones were than used to screen lamda gt11 cDNA libraries and positive clones were isolated and their two DNA strands were sequenced.

Screening of cDNA Libraries

The cDNA libraries of human fetal lungs that were prepared from a mixture of 19-week and 21-week-old fetuses and the human fetal brain of a 26-week-old male fetus were purchased (Clontech, Calif.). The human giant cell tumor and the human U340 brain rumor cell cDNA libraries were constructed in lamda gt11 by using a mixture of oligo dT and random primers (Super Script Choice System, BRL, MD). The cDNA libraries were plated at a density of 30,000 plaques per 150-mm plate and transferred to nylon filters (Hybond N, Amersham). A half or one million of recombinants of each library were screened using 32P-labeled probe. Positive plaques were identified and selected clones were inserted into plasmids and sequenced.

Cloning of PTP-OB cDNA

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy was employed in order to identify the PTPases that are expressed in bone-derived cells. Total RNA was isolated from human osteosarcoma SAOS-2/B10 cells after six of hours treatment with TPA or a control solution. The cDNA was prepared and subjected to PCR amplification with DNA primers that were synthesized according to the conserved amino acid residues of the tyrosine phosphatase domain found in the members of the PTP family. After separation of the amplification products on 5% polyacrylamide gel, multiple DNA fragments, with the size range of 290-315 bp, were observed with the reaction that contained the cDNA of the TPA treated cells. No detectable hybridizing DNA fragments were observed when the cDNA from the control cells was used as template. The DNA fragments were cloned into plasmid vectors and sequenced in their entirety. After sequence analysis, we found that the various cDNA dones represented DNA fragments of five different TPases. Four of these PTPases were the known PTPδ (Krueger et al, 1990 Embo J 9: 3241-3252), PTP gamma (Sap et al, 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87; pp.6112-6116; Kaplan et al., 1990 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 7000-7004 PTPalpha (Matthews et al., 1990, Proc.Natl.Acad. Sci. USA, 89, pp.2980-2984; Kaplan et al., supra), and PTP MEG (Gu, M. et al., 1992, Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89, pp.2980-2984). The fifth clone, named PTP-OB, is a novel, yet unreported, PTPase gene product.

To obtain a complete cDNA sequence for the human PTP-OB, several cDNA libraries were screened which were either purchased or prepared according to standard methods. From a human fetal lung library, three cDNA clones were obtained that hybridized with the amplified 283 bp DNA fragment of PTP-OB. Analysis of the DNA sequence revealed that these three clones were identical and their sequences matched that of PTP-OB. Complete DNA sequencing of clone PTP-OB-17, revealed a 1714 bp cDNA that contained an open reading frame coding for a PTP like protein that was interrupted by a putative termination codon (FIG. 1).

To find additional cDNA sequences, we screened the cDNA library of the giant cell tumor with the cDNA of PTP-OB-17. Seven cDNA clones were identified and the longest cDNA, PTP-OB-10, was analyzed. Sequence analysis revealed a 3613 bp open reading frame that encodes for 1204 amino acid residues (FIG. 1). Since the expression of PTP-OB was found in brain tissue a human brain cDNA library was screened with the 350 bp DNA fragment that corresponded to the most 5' end of clone PTP-OB-10. Sixty positive clones were identified and after size selection and partial sequencing of several lambda clones, a clone of 3588 bp was identified, PTP-OB-133, that contained an open reading frame that starts with the putative initiation codon at the 5' end. Overall, analysis of the assembled cDNA sequences revealed a cDNA of 5988 nucleotides that contained a long open reading frame of 5733 bp that codes for 1911 amino acid residues. At the 5' end of the cDNA three initiation codons were identified. The first methionine codon is the most suitable translation start site. A comparison of PTP-OB protein the known PTPases showed that it is most similar to PTPases LAR and LAR related PTPases. The amino acid sequence of PTP-OB showed 68% identity with LAR and 59% with PTPδ. Similar to LAR, PTP-OB has a receptor-like structure. A highly hydrophobic region is located next to the putative initiation codon, and is probably the signal peptide. According to the consensus rules for signal peptide cleavage, the thirtieth amino acid residue is probably the first amino acid of the mature protein. A second highly hydrophobic domain is found between amino acid residues 1253 to 1277 and is most likely to function as the transmembrane domain. Similar to observations for LAR, analysis of the primary amino acid sequence of the putative extracellular region indicated three repeats of immunoglobulin-like domains and eight fibronectin type III-like repeats (Streuli et al 1998). According to the consensus glycosylation sites, three potential N-linked glycosylation sites at position 250; 721 and 919 were identified. The extracellular domain of PTP-OB is 58% identical to the parallel domain of LAR and 40% identical to DLAR and is closely related to other LAR related PTPase proteins.

The cytoplasmic domain of PTP-OB is composed of 626' amino acid residues. In this region the two tandem repeats of protein tyrosine phosphatase domains are recognized. The cytoplasmic region is highly conserved and it is 95% and 87% identical to the parallel domains of LAR and PTPδ respectively.

Comparing the overlapping sequences of PTP-OB-10 and PTP-OB-133 revealed that the clone isolated from the brain library contained a deletion of 1225 nucleotides, between 1828 -3055 of the complete sequence, that maintained the open reading frame. Partial analysis of several other clones obtained from the brain library, revealed that they all had similar deletions thus coding for a protein with an extracellular domain that is shorter by 409 amino acid residues (between residues 604-1013) and with a substitution of a valine residue, V1014, to an isoleucine residue, i1014.

EXAMPLE 2 Tissue Distribution Of PTP-OB Expression

RNA Hybridization

RNA was isolated by the modified guanidinium hydrochloride method or by guanidinium isothiocyanate method. Total RNA (20-30 μg) and polyA selected RNA (2-5 μg) were separated on formaldehyde agarose gels and transferred nylon filters and subjected to hybridization with (Hybond N, Amersham). A Northern blot of polyA+. RNA of various human tissues was purchased from Clontech, Calif. The hybridization solutions contained 40-50% formamide (Hybrisol I and II, Oncor). After hybridization, the filters were washed in a solution of 2xSSC containing 0.1% SDS, and finally in 0.2xSSC/0.1% SDS solution at 55° C., and exposed to X-ray film (XAR-2, Kodak) with intensifying screen at -70° C. for up to 10 days.

Preparation of RNA and Hybridization. Rat tibiae were dissected free of soft tissue and the bone marrow was removed from the bones. RNA was isolated from these bones by the modified guanidinium hydrochloride method [Nemeth, G. G., A. Heydemann, and M. E. Bolander. 1989. Isolation and analysis of ribonucleic acids from skeletal tissues. Anal. Biochem. 183: 301-304] and the guanidinium isothiocyanate method [Kaplan, R., B. Morse, K. Huebner, C. Croce, R. Howk, M. Ravera, G. Ricca, M. Jaye, and J. Schlessinger. 1990. Cloning of three human tyrosine phosphatases reveals a multigene family of receptor-linked protein-tyrosine-phosphatases expressed in brain. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 7000-7004]. Total RNA (20-30 μg) or polyA⁺ selected RNA (2-5 μg) were electrophoresed on formaldehyde-containing agarose gels and transferred to nylon filters (Hybond N, Amersham). A poly A⁺ RNA blot of various human tissues was purchased from Clontech, Calif. Poly A⁺ RNA from cultured chicken osteoclasts was also prepared. The hybridization solutions contained 40-50% formamide (Hybrisol I and II, OnCor, Md.). After hybridization, the filters were washed in a solution of 2xSSC/0.1%SDS, and finally in 0.2xSSC/0.1% SDS solution at 55° C., and exposed to X-ray film (XAR-2, Kodak) with an intensifying screen at -70° C.

Expression of PTP-OB mRNA

PTP-OB cDNA was hybridized to RNA isolated from various cells and tissues. Northem hybridization experiments revealed that mRNA for PTP-OB is approximately 7.3 Kb. High steady state levels of PTP-OB RNA were found in human osteosarcoma tumor, giant cell rumor (GCT), and in mRNA prepared from human brain (FIGS. 2 and 3). In rat tissues, high level of expression of PTP-OB RNA was found in RNA prepared from tibia. Very low expression levels were detected in RNA isolated form lungs of one week old rat.

Hybridization experiments with the cDNA for PTPδ, showed tissue distribution that was comparable to PTP-OB. PTPδ was found to be highly expressed in brain. Lower levels of PTPδ transcripts were found in RNA isolated from lung and very low but detectable levels were observed in liver, kidney and pancreas. In bone derived cells, high expression levels of PTPδ was found in the human osteosarcoma tumor, and human giant cell tumor (FIG. 4). In cultured cells, there were high expression levels of both PTP-OB and PTPδ in osteoblasts isolated from mouse calvaria and in the human glioblastoma brain tumor U340.

EXAMPLE 3

Cloning of the PTP-OB cDNA into E. coli Expression Vectors

Recombinant PTP-OB is produced in E. coli following the transfer of the PTP-OB encoding DNA into E. coli expression vectors, including but not limited to, the pET series (Novagen). The pET vectors place PTP-OB expression under control of the tightly regulated bacteriophage T7 promoter. Following transfer of this construct into an E. coli host which contains a chromosomal copy of the T7 RNA polymerase gene driven by the inducible lac promoter, expression of PTP-OB is induced when an appropriate lac substrate (IPTG) is added to the culture. The levels of expressed PTP-OB are determined by the assays described above.

The cDNA encoding the entire open reading frame for PTP-OB is inserted into the NdeI site of pET 11a. Constructs in the positive orientation are identified by sequence analysis and used to transform the expression host strain BL21. Transformants are then used to inoculate cultures for the production of PTP-OB protein. Cultures may be grown in M9 or ZB media, whose formulation is known to those skilled in the art. After growth to an approximate OD₆₀₀ =1.5, expression of PTP-OB is induced with 1 mM IPTG for 3 hours at 37° C. Authentic PTP-OB may be found in the insoluble inclusion body fraction from these cells. Soluble PTP-OB is extracted from the inclusion body fraction with 5M guanidine-HCl in a buffer containing 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8) and 100 mM dithiothreitol. Active PTP-OB is generated from this extract following dialysis against 100 volumes of 25 mM HEPES (pH 7.5), 5 mM dithiothreitol, 10% sucrose.

PTP assays. The cDNA coding for the cytoplasmic region (amino acid residues 69-699) of PTPε and PTP-OB were individually inserted in frame into the bacterial expression vector pGEX-2TX (Pharmacia), thus forming a glutathione S-transferase (GST) PTPε fusion protein and a GST-PTP-OB fusion protein. The GST-PTP-OB and GST-PTPε fusion proteins were isolated from the bacteria according to the Pharmacia protocol. The enzymatic assays were performed at optimal reaction conditions (50 mM MES, 0.15 M NaCl, 10% glycerol, pH of 5.65) at ambient temperature. As a substrate fluorescine diphosphate (FDP, Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, Oreg.) at the Km was used. The reaction was continuously monitored by measuring the dephosphorylated product using a Millipore Cytofiour II plate reader with an excitation wavelength of 485 nm (20 nm band width) and an emission wavelength of 530 nm (30 nm band width). The recombinant PTP-OB enzyme, purified according to the directions provided by the plasmid pGEX-2TX manufacturer, was used in the assays described herein, such as in Examples 10 and 11.

EXAMPLE 4 In Vitro Translation of PTP-OB mRNA and Xenopus Oocyte Expression

PTP-OB cDNA constructs are ligated into in vitro transcription vectors (the pGEM series, Promega) for the production of synthetic mRNAs.

Synthetic mRNA is produced in sufficient quantity in vitro by cloning double stranded DNA encoding PTP-OB mRNA into a plasmid vector containing a bacteriophage promoter, linearizing the plasmid vector containing the cloned PTP-OB-encoding DNA, and transcribing the cloned DNA in vitro using a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from a bacteriophage that specifically recognizes the bacteriophage promoter on the plasmid vector.

Various plasmid vectors are available containing a bacteriophage promoter recognized by a bacteriophage DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, including but not limited to plasmids pSP64, pSP65, pSP70, pSP71, pSP72, pSP73, pGEM-3Z, pGEM-4Z, pGEM-3Zf, pGEM-5Zf, pGEM-7Zf, pGEM-9Zf, and pGEM-11Zf, the entire series of plasmids is commercially available from Promega.

The double stranded PTP-OB-encoding DNA is cloned into the bacteriophage promoter containing vector in the proper orientation using one or more of the available restriction endonuclease cloning sites on the vector which are convenient and appropriate for cloning PTP-OB DNA. The vector with the ligated PTP-OB DNA is used to transform bacteria, and clonal isolates are analyzed for the presence of the vector with the PTP-OB DNA in the proper orientation.

Once a vector containing the PTP-OB-encoding DNA in the proper orientation is identified and isolated, it is linearized by cleavage with a restriction endonuclease at a site downstream from, and without disrupting, the PTP-OB transcription unit. The lineafized plasmid is isolated and purified, and used as a template for in vitro transcription of PTP-OB mRNA.

The template DNA is then mixed with bactefiophage-specific DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in a reaction mixture which allows transcription of the DNA template forming PTP-OB mRNA. Several bactefiophage-specific DNA-dependent RNA polymerases are available, including but not limited to T3, T7, and SP6 RNA polymerase. The synthetic PTP-OB mRNA is then isolated and purified.

It may be advantageous to synthesize mRNA containing a 5' terminal cap structure and a 3' poly A tail to improve mRNA stability. A cap structure, or 7-methylguanosine, may be incorporated at the 5' terminus of the mRNA by simply adding 7-methylguanosine to the reaction mixture with the DNA template. The DNA-dependent RNA polymerase incorporates the cap structure at the 5' terminus as it synthesizes the mRNA. The poly A tail is found naturally occurring in many cDNAs but can be added to the 3' terminus of the mRNA by simply inserting a poly A tail-encoding DNA sequence at the 3' end of the DNA template.

The isolated and purified PTP-OB mRNA is translated using either a cell-free system, including but not limited to rabbit reticulocyte lysate and wheat germ extracts (both commercially available from Promega and New England Nuclear) or in a cell based system, including but not limited to microinjection into Xenopus oocytes, with microinjection into Xenopus oocytes being preferred.

Xenopus oocytes are microinjected with a sufficient amount of synthetic PTP-OB mRNA to produce PTP-OB protein. The microinjected oocytes are incubated to allow translation of the PTP-OB mRNA, forming PTP-OB protein.

These synthetic mRNAs are injected into Xenopus oocytes (stage 5-6) by standard procedures [Curdon, J. B. and Wickens, M. D. Methods in Enzymol. 101: 370-386, (1983)]. Oocytes are harvested and analyzed for PTP-OB expression.

EXAMPLE 6 Cloning of PTP-OB cDNA into a Mammalian Expression Vector

PTP-OB cDNA expression cassettes are ligated at appropriate restriction endonuclease sites to the following vectors containing strong, universal mammalian promoters: pBC 12BI [Cullen, B. R. Methods in Enzymol. 152: 684-704 1988], and pEEl2 (CellTech EP 0 338,841) and its derivatives pSZ9016-1 and p9019. p9019 represents the construction of a mammalian expression vector containing the hCMVIE promoter, polylinker and SV40 polyA element with a selectable marker/amplification system comprised of a mutant gene for dihydrofolate reductase (mDHFR) (Simonsen, C. C. and Levinson, A. D. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 80: 2495-2499 [1983]) driven by the SV40 early promoter. An SV40 polyadenylation sequence is generated by a PCR reaction defined by primers 13978-120 and 139778-121 using pD5 (Berker and Sharp, Nucl. Acid Res. 13: 841-857 [1985]) as template. The resulting 0.25 Kb PCR product is digested with ClaI and SpeI and ligated into the 6.7 Kb fragment of pEE12 which had been likewise digested. The resultant plasmid is digested with BgllI and SfiI to liberate the 3' portion of the SV40 early promoter and the GScDNA from the vector. A 0.73 Kb SfiI-XhoIl fragment isolated from plasmid pFR400 (Simonsen, C. C. and Levinson, A. D. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 80: 2495-2499 [1983]) is ligated to the 5.6 Kb vector described above, reconstituting the SV40 early promoter, and inserting the mdHFR gene. This plasmid is designated p9019. pSZ9016-1 is identical to p9019 except for the substitution of the HIV LTR for the huCMVIE promoter. This vector is constructed by digesting p9019 with XbaI and MluI to remove the huCMVIE promoter. The HIV LTR promoter, from residue -117 to +80 (as found in the vector pCD23 containing the portion of the HIV-1 LTR (Cullen, Cell 46: 973 [1986]) is PCR amplified from the plasmid pCD23 using oligonucleotide primers which appended to the ends of the product the MluI and SpeI restriction sites on the 5' side while Hind Ill and Xba I sites are appended on the 3' side. Following the digestion of the resulting 0.2 kb PCR product with the enzymes MluI and Xba I the fragment is agarose gel-purified and ligated into the 4.3 Kb promoterless DNA fragment to generate the vector pSZ9016-1.

Cassettes containing the PTP-OB cDNA in the positive orientation with respect to the promoter are ligated into appropriate restriction sites 3' of the promoter and identified by restriction site mapping and/or sequencing. These cDNA expression vectors are introduced into various host cells including, but not limited to: [COS-7 (ATCC# CRL1651), CV-1 tat [Sackevitz et al., Science 238:1575 (1987)], 293, L (ATCC#CRL6362)] by standard methods including but not limited to electroporation,or chemical procedures (cationic liposomes, DEAE dextran, calcium phosphate). Transfected cells and cell culture extracts can be harvested and analyzed for PTP-OB expression as described below.

All of the vectors used for mammalian transient expression can be used to establish stable cell lines expressing PTP-OB. Unaltered PTP-OB cDNA constructs cloned into expression vectors will be expected to program host cells to make intracellular PTP-OB protein. The transfection host cells include, but are not limited to, CV-1-P [Sackevitz et al., Science 238: 1575 (1987)], tk-L [Wigler, et al. Cell 11: 223 (1977)], NS/O, and dHFr-CHO [Kaufman and Sharp, J. Mol. Biol. 159: 601, (1982)].

Co-transfection of any vector containing PTP-OB cDNA with a drug selection plasmid including, but not limited to 6418, aminoglycoside phosphotransferase, pLNCX [Miller, A. D. and Rosman G. J. Biotech News 7: 980-990 (1989)]; hygromycin, hygromycin-B phosphotransferase, pLG90 [Gritz. L. and Davies, J., GENE 25: 179 (1983)]; APRT, xanthine-guanine phosphofibosyl-transferase, pMAM (Clontech) [Murray, et al., Gene 31: 233 (1984)] will allow for the selection of stably transfected clones. Levels of PTP-OB are quantitated by the assays described above.

PTP-OB cDNA constructs are ligated into vectors containing amplifiable drug-resistance markers for the production of mammalian cell clones synthesizing the highest possible levels of PTP-OB. Following introduction of these constructs into cells, clones containing the plasmid are selected with the appropriate agent, and isolation of an over-expressing clone with a high copy number of the plasmid is accomplished by selection in increasing doses of the agent. The following systems are utilized: the 9016 or the 9019 plasmid containing the mutant DHFR gene [Simonson, C. and Levinson, A., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80: 2495 (1983)], transletted into DHFR-CHO cells and selected in methotrexate; the pEE 12 plasmid containing the glutamine synthetase gene, transletted into NS/O cells and selected in methionine sulfoximine (CellTech International Patent Application 2089/10404); and 9016 or other CMV promoter vectors, co-transfected with pDLAT-3 containing the thymidine kinase gene [Colbere and Garopin, F., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 76: 3755 (1979)] in APRT and TK-deficient L cells, selected in APRT (0.05 mM azaserine, 0.1 mM adeninc, 4 ug/ml adenosine) and amplified with HAT (100 uM hypoxanthine, 0.4 uM aminopterin, 16 uM thymidine).

EXAMPLE 7 Cloning of PTP-OB cDNA into a Baculovirus Expression Vector for Expression in Insect Cells

Baculovirus vectors, which are derived from the genome of the AcNPV virus, are designed to provide high level expression of cDNA in the Sf9 line of insect cells (ATCC CRL#1711 ). Recombinant baculoviruses expressing PTP-OB cDNA is produced by the following standard methods (In Vitrogen Maxbac Manual): the PTP-OB cDNA constructs are ligated downstream of the polyhedrin promoter in a variety of baculovirus transfer vectors, including the pAC360 and the BlueBac vector (In Vitrogen). Recombinant baculoviruses are generated by homologous recombination following co-transfection of the baculovirus transfer vector and linearized AcNPV genomic DNA [Kitts, P. A., Nuc. Acid. Res. 18: 5667 (1990)]into Sf9 cells. Recombinant pAC360 viruses are identified by the absence of inclusion bodies in infected cells (Summers, M. D. and Smith, G. E., Texas Agriculture Exp. Station Bulletin No. 1555) and recombinant pBlueBac viruses are identified on the basis of β-galactosidase expression (Vialard, et al. 1990, J. Virol., 64, pp 37-50). Following plaque purification and infection of sf9 cells with PTP-OB recombinant baculovims, PTP-OB expression is measured by the assays described above.

The cDNA encoding the entire open reading frame for PTP-OB is inserted into the BamHI site of pBlueBacII. Constructs in the positive orientation with respect to the polyhedrin promoter are identified by sequence analysis and used to transfect Sf9 cells in the presence of linear AcNPV mild type DNA.

EXAMPLE 8 Cloning of PTP-OB cDNA into a Yeast Expression Vector

Recombinant PTP-OB is produced in the yeast S. cerevisiae following the insertion of the optimal PTP-OB cDNA construct into expression vectors designed to direct the intracellular expression of heterologous proteins. For intracellular expression, vectors such as EmBLyex4 or the like are ligated to the PTP-OB cistron [Rinas, U. et al., Biotechnology 8: 543-545 (1990); Horowitz B. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265: 4189-4192 (1989)]. The levels of expressed PTP-OB are determined by the assays described above.

EXAMPLE 9

Purification of Recombinant PTP-OB

Recombinantly produced PTP-OB may be purified by antibody affinity chromatography.

PTP-OB antibody affinity columns are made by adding the anti-PTP-OB antibodies to Affigel-10 (Biorad), a gel support which is pre-activated with N-hydroxysuccinimide esters such that the antibodies form covalent linkages with the agarose gel bead support. The antibodies are then coupled to the gel via amide bonds with the spacer arm. The remaining activated esters are then quenched with 1M ethanolamine HCl (pH 8). The column is washed with water followed by 0.23M glycine HCl (pH 2.6) to remove any non-conjugated antibody or extraneous protein. The column is then equilibrated in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.3) together with appropriate membrane solubilizing agents, if necessary such as detergents, and the cell culture supernatant or cell extracts containing PTP-OB or PTP-OB fragments are slowly passed through the column. The column is then washed with phosphate-buffered saline together with detergents, if necessary until the optical density (A280) falls to background, then the protein is eluted with 0.23M glycine-HCl (pH 2.6) together with detergents, if necessary. The purified PTP-OB protein is then dialyzed against phosphate buffered saline.

EXAMPLE 10

Screening Assay to Identify Modulators of PTP Activity

Mouse osteoclasts were generated in vitro by culturing together bone marrow cells and calvariae osteoblasts. Osteoblastic cells were isolated from mouse calvariae and cultured for 24 hours. Then, freshly isolated bone marrow cells were added to the cultured osteoblasts and treated with 10 nM 1,25(OH)2D3 (D3) for seven days. Under these conditions the bone marrow cells differentiated into multinucleated osteoclast-like cells that were positively stained for tartarat resistant alkaline phosphatase (TRAP), have other osteoclast specific markers (Takahashi, N. T. et al., 1988, Endocrinol., 123, pp.2600-2602), and have the ability to resorb bone in culture. The D3 and the various inhibitors were added to the cells with fresh medium at days two and four of co-culturing. TRAP positive cells were counted in quadruplicate wells for each test condition.

Mouse bone marrow cells, were induced to differentiate into osteoclast-like cells by co-culturing with neonatal calvariae osteoblasts in a D3 dependent process. These cells were stained by tartarat resistant acid phosphatase and exhibited markers that were associated with osteoclasts, such as calcitonin receptors, and vitronectin receptors. Furthermore, like osteoclasts, the cells contained multiple nuclei as a result of cell fusion activities (Takahashi, N. T. et al., supra). The multinucleated TRAP positive cells could be recognized as early as four days of co-culturing, but the majority of the multinucleated osteoclast-like cells (70-80%) were generated after six and seven days of co-culturing. The process was completely dependent on the treatment with vitamin D3, and no osteoclasts were formed in the absence of either D3, osteoblasts or bone marrow cells (Takahashi, N. T. et al., supra).

To test for the importance of PTPase activity in the generation of osteoclasts, we studied the influence of PTPase inhibitors on the differentiation of bone marrow cells in osteoclast. In these experiments, addition of orthovanadate to the co-cultured cells completely inhibited the formation of the multinucleated TRAP positive cells, with an IC 50 of 2 μM (FIG. 5A). Similarly, treatment with phenylarsine oxide (PAO) strongly inhibited the formation of the multinucleated TRAP positive cells with an IC 50 of 0.2 μM (FIG. 5B). Treatment with orthovanadate (10 μM) or phenylarsine oxide (0.2 μM), which markedly inhibited the formation of the fused TRAP positive cells, produced mononucleated TRAP positive cells. Thus, the major influence of the inhibitors appeared the process of cell fusion. Moreover, at these concentration of PTPase inhibitors, no ill effects were observed on the co-cultured osteoblasts. To further characterize the importance of the PTPases on osteoclast formation, orthovanadate was added at different days of co-culturing and the formation of fused TRAP positive cells was measured.

In these experiments the orthovanadate was able to block 80% of the formation of the multinucleated TRAP positive cells when added at six days of co-culturing (FIG. 6). Addition of the PTPase inhibitor at earlier days of the co-culturing before the major cell fusion occurred had a small additional effect. To further study the role of tryosine phosphorylation in osteoclast formation, influence of geldanamycin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on the formation of osteoclasts was tested. In these experiments, geldanamycin was a point inhibitor of osteoclasts formation, with an IC 50 of 50 ng/ml (FIG. 5C). Though, in contrast to the PTPase inhibitors, it completely blocked the appearance of s mononuclear TRAP positive cells.

To test whether PTPase activity could influence the osteoclasts activity, the influence of the PTPase inhibitors was tested in an in vitro bone resorption assay. In these assays, freshly isolated rat osteoclasts were placed on bone slices for 24 hours and the influence of PTPase inhibitors on the number of resorbing pits in the bone slice were observed. Both orthovanadate and phenylarsine oxide were found to be potent inhibitors of bone resorption, with an IC₅₀ of 2 μM for orthovanadate, (FIG. 7A) and IC 50 of 0.05 μM for penylarsine oxide (FIG. 7B).

Bone Resorption Assay. Six long bones were isolated from neonatal rats and were placed in 4.5 ml 199 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. The bones were dissected longitudinally and cells were separated by scraping. The cell suspension was filtered through a nylon mesh. Circular slices of steer bone (4.4×0.2 mm) were sonicated, sterilized and then hydrated in culture medium. The isolated cells (0.1 ml) were placed on the bone slices in 96 well tissue culture plates and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO₂ with a PTP inhibitor or vehicle for 24 hours. At the end of the experiment, the bone slices were sonicated, fixed with ethanol and stained with methylene blue. The resorption pits were visualized by reflection light microscopy and their number was determined [Murrills, R. J., L. S. Stein, C. P. Fey, and D. W. Dempster. 1990. The effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptide on osteoclast resorption of bone slices in vitro: an analysis of pit size and the resorption focus. Endocrinology 127: 2648-2653].

Alendronate inhibition of PTP activity. To study the enzymatic activity of PTP-OB and PTPε, we expressed the cytoplasmic domain of PTP-OB and PTPε in bacteria as a GST-fusion protein. After purification, the GST-PTP-OB and GST-PTPε fusion proteins were tested for PTP enzymatic activity and for their sensitivity to ALN and the PTP inhibitors, orthovanadate, BP, and PAO [Gordon, J. A. 1991. Use of vanadate as protein-phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. Methods Enzymol. 201: 477-482; Walton, K. M., and J. E. Dixon. 1993, Protein tyrosine phosphatases. Annu. Rev. Biochem. 62: 101-120] (FIG. 8A and 8B). As a substrate we used FDP, previously described as a good substrate for other PTPases (34,35). PTPε effectively dephosphorylated FDP with a Km=70 μM, which is comparable to the Km values obtained for other PTPs, such as CD45, PTPβ and PTP1B. As reported with other phosphatases, the enzymatic activity of PTP-OB was sensitive to orthovanadate (IC₅₀ of about 0.02 uM).

BPs are organic phosphate analogues that inhibit enzymatic activities of PTP that were expressed in osteoclasts. Therefore, we tested the influence of alendronate, a potent inhibitor of bone resorption, on the enzymatic activity of PTP-OB. In these studies, we determined that alendronate is also a potent inhibitor of PTP-OB with an IC₅₀ of 0.2 μM. Etidronate, another bisphosphonate, also inhibited PTPε activity with an IC₅₀ of about 0.4 uM. Similar results were obtained when the GST moiety of the GST-PTP-OB protein fusion was cleaved with thrombin producing PTP-OB without the GST portion covalently attached.

BPs stimulate osteoblast proliferation It was reported that orthovanadate can stimulate osteoblast proliferation. Therefore to determine whether this effect is mediated via the inhibition of PTPs, we tested whether alendronate etidronate and orthovanadate can similarly stimulate the proliferation of the mouse calvaria derived MB 1.8 cells. Orthovanadate, alendronate and etidronate stimulated thymidine incorporation (mitogenesis) of quiescent osteoblasts at micromolar concentrations, demonstrating proliferation of the cells.

Requirement of PTP Activity for Bone Resorption. To determine a possible relationship between ALN inhibition of PTP activity and inhibition of bone resorption we compared the effects of ALN (FIG. 9A). orthovanate (FIG. 9B) and PAO (FIG. 9C) on in vitro bone resorption by rat osteoclasts. All three inhibitors (ALN, orthovanadate and PAO) inhibited the osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, reducing the number of resorption pits by 80% at 10⁻⁵ M, 10⁻⁵ M and 10⁻⁶ M, respectively. These findings suggest that PTP activity in osteoclasts is essential for bone resorption.

The Role of PTP Activity for Osteoclast Differentiation. It has been previously reported that bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast formation in culture [Hughes, D. E., B. R. MacDonald, R. G. Russell, and M. Gowen. 1989. Inhibition of osteoclast-like cell formation by bisphosphonates in long-term cultures of human bone marrow. J. Clin. Invest. 83: 1930-1935]. We compared the effects of the three PTP inhibitors in this in vitro osteoclast formation system. Co-cultured mouse bone marrow cells and mouse calvaria osteoblasts were treated after two days with one of the PTP inhibitors, and the number of multinucleated TRAP positive cells was determined at day seven of co-culture. ALN (FIG. 10A) orthovanadate (FIG. 10B) and PAO (FIG. 10C) (completely inhibited the formation of multinucleated TRAP positive cells at 10⁻⁵ M, 10⁻⁵ M and 2×10⁻⁷ M, respectively, but did not block the development of mononucleated TRAP positive cells, suggesting that the three compounds inhibit osteoclast formation at a similar step in the maturation pathway. At the respective Concentrations, the three PTP inhibitors, had no apparent toxicity for either osteoblasts or bone marrow cells.

To further test the requirement for PTP activity during osteoclast formation, we added orthovanadate at different times of co-culture and counted the number of multinucleated TRAP positive cells at seven days. We found that addition of orthovanadate at any time up to day six of the co-culture inhibited the formation of multinucleated osteoclastic cells by 90% or more. Addition at day six: (last 24 hours) caused 80% inhibition (FIG. 10D). These findings suggest that PTP activity is essential during a late stage in the formation of multinucleated TRAP positive cells.

Inhibition of osteoclast formation by tyrosine kinase inhibitors was recently reported [Hall, T. J., M. Schaeublin, and M. Missbach. 1994. Evidence that c-src is involved in the process of osteoclastic bone resorption. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 199: 1237-1244; Yoneda, T., C. Lowe, C. H. Lee, G. Gutierrez, M. Niewolna, P. J. Williams, E. Izbicka, Y. Uehara, and G. R. Mundy. 1993. Herbimycin A, a pp60 c-src tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro and hypercalcemia in vivo. J. Clin. Invest. 91: 2791-2795]. We found that the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, geldanamycin, also inhibited the differentiation of bone marrow cells into multinucleated TRAP positive cells, complete inhibition occurring at 2×10⁻⁷ M. However, in contrast to the effects of PTP inhibitors, geldanamycin treatment inhibited the development of mononuclear TRAP positive cells, suggesting effects at an earlier stage of osteoclast maturation.

EXAMPLE 11

Recombinant protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-OB is expressed in a recombinant host cell (as in Examples 1-10) in native form or as a hybrid or fusion protein. PTP-OB is then used in an enzymatic assay for tyrosine phosphatase activity in a suitable buffer (0.1M TRIS-HCL, pH 7.4; 1 mM EDTA; 50mm NaCl; 1 mM DTT). As a substrate, a phosphorylated peptide or protein is added as well as phosphorylated tyrosine or similar molecule. The release of phosphate is measured by colorimetric assay or by the release of radiolabelled phosphate. Various inhibitors are added to the assay reaction to determine their inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity of PTP-OB. The potential inhibitor substances for use in this assay are produced synthetically or are isolated from natural sources.

    __________________________________________________________________________     SEQUENCE LISTING     (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:     (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 7     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1:     (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     (A) LENGTH: 27 base pairs     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid     (C) STRANDEDNESS: single     (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1:     CTTCTAGAARTGYGCNCARTAYTGGCC27     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:     (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     (A) LENGTH: 7 amino acids     (B) TYPE: amino acid     (C) STRANDEDNESS: single     (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:     LysCysAlaGlnTyrTrpPro     15     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:     (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     (A) LENGTH: 30 base pairs     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid     (C) STRANDEDNESS: single     (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3:     GAAGCTTCCMAYNCCTGCACWRCARTGNAC30     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:     (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     (A) LENGTH: 8 amino acids     (B) TYPE: amino acid     (C) STRANDEDNESS: single     (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:     ValHisCysSerAlaGlyValGly     15     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5:     (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     (A) LENGTH: 1911 amino acids     (B) TYPE: amino acid     (C) STRANDEDNESS: single     (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5:     MetAlaProThrTrpGlyProGlyMetValSerValValGlyProMet     151015     GlyLeuLeuValValLeuLeuValGlyGlyCysAlaAlaGluGluPro     202530     ProArgPheIleLysGluProLysAspGlnIleGlyValSerGlyArg     354045     ValAlaSerPheValCysGlnAlaThrGlyAspProLysProArgVal     505560     ThrTrpAsnLysLysGlyLysLysValAsnSerGlnArgPheGluThr     65707580     IleGluPheAspGluSerAlaGlyAlaValLeuArgIleGlnProLeu     859095     ArgThrProArgAspGluAsnValTyrGluCysValAlaGlnAsnSer     100105110     ValGlyGluIleThrValHisAlaLysLeuThrValLeuArgGluAsp     115120125     GlnLeuProSerGlyPheProAsnIleAspMetGlyProGlnLeuLys     130135140     ValValGluArgThrArgThrAlaThrMetLeuCysAlaAlaSerGly     145150155160     AsnProAspProGluIleThrTrpPheLysAspPheLeuProValAsp     165170175     ProSerAlaSerAsnGlyArgIleLysGlnLeuArgSerGlyAlaLeu     180185190     GlnIleGluSerSerGluGluThrAspGlnGlyLysTyrGluCysVal     195200205     AlaThrAsnSerAlaGlyValArgTyrSerSerProAlaAsnLeuTyr     210215220     ValArgValArgArgValAlaProArgPheSerIleLeuProMetSer     225230235240     HisGluIleMetProGlyGlyAsnValAsnIleThrCysValAlaVal     245250255     GlySerProMetProTyrValLysTrpMetGlnGlyAlaGluAspLeu     260265270     ThrProGluAspAspMetProValGlyArgAsnValLeuGluLeuThr     275280285     AspValLysAspSerAlaAsnTyrHisProCysValAlaMetSerSer     290295300     LeuGlyValIleGluAlaValAlaGlnIleThrValLysSerLeuPro     305310315320     LysAlaProGlyThrProMetValThrGluAsnThrAlaThrSerIle     325330335     ThrIleThrTrpAspSerGlyAsnProAspProValSerTyrTyrVal     340345350     IleGluTyrLysSerLysSerGlnAspGlyProTyrGlnIleLysGlu     355360365     AspIleThrThrThrArgTyrSerIleGlyGlyLeuSerProAsnSer     370375380     GluTyrGluIleTrpValSerAlaValAsnSerIleGlyGlnGlyPro     385390395400     ProSerGluSerValValThrArgThrGlyGluGlnAlaProAlaArg     405410415     ProProArgAsnValGlnAlaArgMetLeuSerAlaThrThrMetIle     420425430     ValGlnTrpGluGluProValGluProAsnGlyLeuIleArgGlyTyr     435440445     ArgValTyrTyrThrMetGluProGluHisProValGlyAsnTrpGln     450455460     LysHisAsnValAspAspSerLeuLeuThrThrValGlySerLeuLeu     465470475480     GluAspGluThrTyrThrValArgValLeuAlaPheThrSerValGly     485490495     AspGlyProLeuSerAspProIleGlnValLysThrGlnGlnGlyVal     500505510     ProGlyGlnProMetAsnLeuArgAlaGluAlaArgSerGluThrSer     515520525     IleThrLeuSerTrpSerProProArgGlnGluSerIleIleLysTyr     530535540     GluLeuLeuPheArgGluGlyAspHisGlyArgGluValGlyArgThr     545550555560     PheAspProThrThrSerTyrValValGluAspLeuLysProAsnThr     565570575     GluTyrAlaPheArgLeuAlaAlaArgSerProGlnGlyLeuGlyAla     580585590     PheThrProValValArgGlnArgThrLeuGlnSerLysProSerAla     595600605     ProProGlnAspValLysCysValSerValArgSerThrAlaIleLeu     610615620     ValSerTrpArgProProProProGluThrHisAsnGlyAlaLeuVal     625630635640     GlyTyrSerValArgTyrArgProLeuGlySerGluAspProGluPro     645650655     LysGluValAsnGlyIleProProThrThrThrGlnIleLeuLeuGlu     660665670     AlaLeuGluLysTrpThrGlnTyrArgIleThrThrValAlaHisThr     675680685     GluValGlyProGlyProGluSerSerProValValValArgThrAsp     690695700     GluAspValProSerAlaProProArgLysValGluAlaGluAlaLeu     705710715720     AsnAlaThrAlaIleArgValLeuTrpArgSerProAlaProGlyArg     725730735     GlnHisGlyGlnIleArgGlyTyrGlnValHisTyrValArgMetGlu     740745750     GlyAlaGluAlaArgGlyProProArgIleLysAspValMetLeuAla     755760765     AspAlaGlnGluMetValIleThrAsnLeuGlnProGluThrAlaTyr     770775780     SerIleThrValAlaAlaTyrThrMetLysGlyAspGlyAlaArgSer     785790795800     LysProLysValValValThrLysGlyAlaValLeuGlyArgProThr     805810815     LeuSerValGlnGlnThrProGluGlySerLeuLeuAlaArgTrpGlu     820825830     ProProAlaGlyThrAlaGluAspGlnValLeuGlyTyrArgLeuGln     835840845     PheGlyArgGluAspSerThrProLeuAlaThrLeuGluPheProPro     850855860     SerGluAspArgTyrThrAlaSerGlyValHisLysGlyAlaThrTyr     865870875880     ValPheArgLeuAlaAlaArgSerProGlyGlyLeuGlyGluGluAla     885890895     AlaGluValLeuSerIleProGluAspThrProArgGlyHisProGln     900905910     IleLeuGluAlaAlaGlyAsnAlaSerAlaGlyThrValLeuLeuArg     915920925     TrpLeuProProValProAlaGluArgAsnGlyAlaIleValLysTyr     930935940     ThrValAlaValArgGluAlaGlyAlaLeuGlyProAlaArgGluThr     945950955960     GluLeuProAlaGlyArgLeuSerArgAlaArgArgThrLeuThrLeu     965970975     GlnGlyLeuLysProAspThrAlaTyrAspLeuGlnValArgAlaHis     980985990     ThrArgArgGlyProGlyProPheSerProProValArgTyrArgThr     99510001005     PheLeuArgAspGlnValSerProLysAsnPheLysValLysMetIle     101010151020     MetLysThrSerValLeuLeuSerTrpGluPheProAspAsnTyrAsn     1025103010351040     SerProThrProTyrLysIleGlnTyrAsnGlyLeuThrLeuAspVal     104510501055     AspGlyArgThrThrLysLysLeuIleThrHisLeuLysProHisThr     106010651070     PheTyrAsnPheValLeuThrAsnArgGlySerSerLeuGlyGlyLeu     107510801085     GlnGlnThrValThrAlaTrpThrAlaPheAsnLeuLeuAsnGlyLys     109010951100     ProSerValAlaProLysProAspAlaAspGlyPheIleMetValTyr     1105111011151120     LeuProAspGlyGlnSerProValProValGlnSerTyrPheIleVal     112511301135     MetValProLeuArgLysSerArgGlyGlyGlnPheLeuThrProLeu     114011451150     GlySerProGluAspMetAspLeuGluGluLeuIleGlnAspIleSer     115511601165     ArgLeuGlnArgArgSerLeuArgHisSerArgGlnLeuGluValPro     117011751180     ArgProTyrIleAlaAlaArgPheSerValLeuProProThrPheHis     1185119011951200     ProGlyAspGlnLysGlnTyrGlyGlyPheAspAsnArgGlyLeuGlu     120512101215     ProGlyHisArgTyrValLeuPheValLeuAlaValLeuGlnLysSer     122012251230     GluProThrPheAlaAlaSerProPheSerAspProPheGlnLeuAsp     123512401245     AsnProAspProGlnProIleValAspGlyGluGluGlyLeuIleTrp     125012551260     ValIleGlyProValLeuAlaValValPheIleIleCysIleValIle     1265127012751280     AlaIleLeuLeuTyrLysAsnLysProAspSerLysArgLysAspSer     128512901295     GluProArgThrLysCysLeuLeuAsnAsnAlaAspLeuAlaProHis     130013051310     HisProLysAspProValGluMetArgArgIleAsnPheGlnThrPro     131513201325     GlyMetLeuSerHisProProIleProIleAlaAspMetAlaGluHis     133013351340     ThrGluArgLeuLysAlaAsnAspSerLeuLysLeuSerGlnGluTyr     1345135013551360     GluSerIleAspProGlyGlnGlnPheThrTrpGluHisSerAsnLeu     136513701375     GluValAsnLysProLysAsnArgTyrAlaAsnValIleAlaTyrAsp     138013851390     HisSerArgValIleLeuGlnProIleGluGlyIleMetGlySerAsp     139514001405     TyrIleAsnAlaAsnTyrValAspGlyTyrArgArgGlnAsnAlaTyr     141014151420     IleAlaThrGlnGlyProLeuProGluThrPheGlyAspPheTrpArg     1425143014351440     MetValTrpGluGlnArgSerAlaThrIleValMetMetThrArgLeu     144514501455     GluGluLysSerArgIleLysCysAspGlnTyrTrpProAsnArgGly     146014651470     ThrGluThrTyrGlyPheIleGlnValThrLeuLeuAspThrIleGlu     147514801485     LeuAlaThrPheCysValArgThrPheSerLeuHisLysAsnGlySer     149014951500     SerGluLysArgGluValArgGlnPheGlnPheThrAlaTrpProAsp     1505151015151520     HisGlyValProGluTyrProThrProPheLeuAlaPheLeuArgArg     152515301535     ValLysThrCysAsnProProAspAlaGlyProIleValValHisCys     154015451550     SerAlaGlyValGlyArgThrGlyCysPheIleValIleAspAlaMet     155515601565     LeuGluArgIleLysProGluLysThrValAspValTyrGlyHisVal     157015751580     ThrLeuMetArgSerGlnArgAsnTyrMetValGlnThrGluAspGln     1585159015951600     TyrSerPheIleHisGluAlaLeuLeuGluAlaValGlyCysGlyAsn     160516101615     ThrGluValProAlaArgSerLeuTyrAlaTyrIleGlnLysLeuAla     162016251630     GlnValGluProGlyGluHisValThrGlyMetGluLeuGluPheLys     163516401645     ArgLeuAlaAsnSerLysAlaHisThrSerArgPheIleSerAlaAsn     165016551660     LeuProCysLysLysPheLysAsnArgLeuValAsnIleMetProTyr     1665167016751680     GluSerThrArgValCysLeuGlnProIleArgGlyValGluGlySer     168516901695     AspTyrIleAsnAlaSerPheIleAspGlyTyrArgGlnGlnLysAla     170017051710     TyrIleAlaThrGlnGlyProLeuAlaGluThrThrGluAspPheTrp     171517201725     ArgMetLeuTrpGluAsnAsnSerThrIleValValMetLeuThrLys     173017351740     LeuArgGluMetGlyArgGluLysCysHisGlnTyrTrpProAlaGlu     1745175017551760     ArgSerAlaArgTyrGlnTyrPheValValAspProMetAlaGluTyr     176517701775     AsnMetProGlnTyrIleLeuArgGluPheLysValThrAspAlaArg     178017851790     AspGlyGlnSerArgThrValArgGlnPheGlnPheThrAspTrpPro     179518001805     GluGlnGlyValProLysSerGlyGluGlyPheIleAspPheIleGly     181018151820     GlnValHisLysThrLysGluGlnPheGlyGlnAspGlyProIleSer     1825183018351840     ValHisCysSerAlaGlyValGlyArgThrGlyValPheIleThrLeu     184518501855     SerIleValLeuGluArgMetArgTyrGluGlyValValAspIlePhe     186018651870     GlnThrValLysMetLeuArgThrGlnArgProAlaMetValGlnThr     187518801885     GluAspGluTyrGlnPheCysTyrGlnAlaAlaLeuGluTyrLeuGly     189018951900     SerPheAspHisTyrAlaThr     19051910     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6:     (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     (A) LENGTH: 6000 base pairs     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid     (C) STRANDEDNESS: single     (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6:     GAATTCCGGGTCGCTGCCAAGCATGGCGCCCACCTGGGGCCCTGGCATGGTGTCTGTGGT60     TGGTCCCATGGGCCTCCTTGTGGTCCTGCTCGTTGGAGGCTGTGCAGCAGAAGAGCCCCC120     CAGGTTTATCAAAGAACCCAAGGACCAGATCGGCGTGTCGGGGCGTGTGGCCTCTTTCGT180     GTGTCAGGCCACGGGTGACCCCAAGCCACGAGTGACCTGGAACAAGAAGGGCAAGAAGGT240     CAACTCTCAGCGCTTTGAGACGATTGAGTTTGATGAGAGTGCAGGGGCAGTGCTGAGGAT300     CCAGCCGCTGAGGACACCGCGGGATGAAAACGTGTACGAGTGTGTGGCCCAGAACTCGGT360     TGGGGAGATCACAGTCCATGCCAAGCTTACTGTCCTCCGAGAGGACCAGCTGCCCTCTGG420     CTTCCCCAACATCGACATGGGCCCACAGTTGAAGGTGGTGGAGCGGACACGGACAGCCAC480     CATGCTCTGTGCAGCCAGCGGCAACCCTGACCCTGAGATCACCTGGTTCAAGGACTTCCT540     GCCTGTGGATCCTAGTGCCAGCAATGGACGCATCAAACAGCTGCGATCAGGAGCCCTGCA600     GATTGAAAGCAGTGAGGAAACCGACCAGGGCAAATATGAGTGTGTGGCCACCAACAGCGC660     CGGCGTGCGCTACTCCTCACCTGCCAACCTCTACGTGCGAGTCCGCCGCGTGGCCCCGCG720     CTTCTCCATCCTGCCCATGAGCCACGAGATCATGCCAGGGGGCAACGTGAACATCACCTG780     CGTGGCCGTGGGCTCGCCCATGCCATACGTGAAGTGGATGCAGGGGGCCGAGGACCTGAC840     CCCCGAGGATGACATGCCCGTGGGTCGGAACGTGCTGGAACTCACAGATGTCAAGGACTC900     GGCCAACTACCACCCCTGCGTGGCCATGTCCAGCCTGGGCGTCATTGAGGCGGTTGCTCA960     GATCACGGTGAAATCTCTCCCCAAAGCTCCCGGGACTCCCATGGTGACTGAGAACACAGC1020     CACCAGCATCACCATCACGTGGGACTCGGGCAACCCAGATCCTGTGTCCTATTACGTCAT1080     CGAATATAAATCCAAGAGCCAAGACGGGCCGTATCAGATTAAAGAGGACATCACCACCAC1140     ACGTTACAGCATCGGCGGCCTGAGCCCCAACTCGGAGTACGAGATCTGGGTGTCGGCCGT1200     CAACTCCATCGGCCAGGGGCCCCCCAGCGAGTCCGTGGTCACCCGCACAGGCGAGCAGGC1260     CCCGGCCAGGCCGCCGCGGAACGTGCAAGCCCGGATGCTCAGCGCGACCACCATGATTGT1320     GCAGTGGGAGGAGCCGGTGGAGCCCAACGGCCTGATCCGCGGCTACCGCGTCTACTACAC1380     CATGGAACCGGAGCACCCCGTGGGCAACTGGCAGAAGCACAACGTGGACGACAGCCTGCT1440     GACCACCGTGGGCAGCCTGCTGGAGGACGAGACCTACACCGTGCGGGTGCTCGCCTTCAC1500     CTCCGTCGGCGACGGGCCCCTCTCGGACCCCATCCAGGTCAAGACGCAGCAGGGAGTGCC1560     GGGCCAGCCCATGAACCTGCGGGCCGAGGCCAGGTCGGAGACCAGCATCACGCTGTCCTG1620     GAGCCCCCCGCGGCAGGAGAGTATCATCAAGTACGAGCTCCTCTTCCGGGAAGGCGACCA1680     TGGCCGGGAGGTGGGAAGGACCTTCGACCCGACGACTTCCTACGTGGTGGAGGACCTGAA1740     GCCCAACACGGAGTACGCCTTCCGCCTGGCGGCCCGCTCGCCGCAGGGCCTGGGCGCCTT1800     CACCCCCGTGGTGCGGCAGCGCACGCTGCAGTCCAAACCGTCAGCCCCCCCTCAAGACGT1860     TAAATGTGTCAGCGTGCGCTCCACGGCCATTTTGGTAAGTTGGCGCCCGCCGCCGCCGGA1920     AACGCACAACGGGGCCCTGGTGGGCTACAGCGTCCGCTACCGACCGCTGGGCTCAGAGGA1980     CCCGGAACCCAAGGAGGTGAACGGCATCCCCCCGACCACCACTCAGATCCTGCTGGAGGC2040     CTTGGAGAAGTGGACCCAGTACCGCATCACGACTGTCGCTCACACAGAGGTGGGACCAGG2100     GCCCGAGAGCTCGCCCGTGGTCGTCCGCACCGACGAGGATGTGCCCAGCGCGCCGCCGCG2160     GAAGGTGGAGGCGGAGGCGCTCAACGCCACGGCCATCCGCGTGCTGTGGCGCTCGCCCGC2220     GCCCGGCCGGCAGCACGGCCAGATCCGCGGCTACCAGGTCCACTACGTGCGCATGGAGGG2280     CGCCGAGGCCCGCGGGCCGCCGCGCATCAAGGACGTCATGCTGGCCGATGCCCAGGAGAT2340     GGTCATCACAAACTTGCAGCCTGAGACCGCGTACTCCATCACGGTAGCCGCCTACACCAT2400     GAAGGGCGATGGCGCTCGCAGCAAACCCAAGGTGGTTGTGACCAAGGGAGCAGTGCTGGG2460     CCGCCCAACCCTGTCGGTGCAGCAGACCCCCGAGGGCAGCCTGCTGGCACGCTGGGAGCC2520     CCCGGCTGGCACCGCGGAGGACCAGGTGCTGGGCTACCGCCTGCAGTTTGGCCGTGAGGA2580     CTCGACGCCCCTGGCCACCCTGGAGTTCCCGCCCTCCGAGGACCGCTACACGGCATCAGG2640     CGTGCACAAGGGGGCCACGTATGTGTTCCGGCTTGCGGCCCGGAGCCCGGGCGGCCTGGG2700     CGAGGAGGCAGCCGAGGTCCTGAGCATCCCGGAGGACACGCCCCGTGGCCACCCGCAGAT2760     TCTGGAGGCGGCCGGCAACGCCTCGGCCGGGACCGTCCTTCTCCGCTGGCTGCCACCCGT2820     GCCCGCCGAGCGCAACGGGGCCATCGTCAAATACACGGTGGCCGTGCGGGAGGCCGGTGC2880     CCTGGGCCCTGCCCGAGAGACTGAGCTGCCGGCAGGCCGGCTGAGCCGGGCGCGGAGAAC2940     GCTCACGCTGCAGGGCCTGAAGCCCGACACGGCCTATGACCTCCAAGTGCGAGCCCACAC3000     GCGCCGGGGCCCTGGCCCCTTCAGCCCCCCCGTCCGCTACCGGACGTTCCTGCGGGACCA3060     AGTCTCGCCCAAGAACTTCAAGGTGAAAATGATCATGAAGACATCAGTTCTGCTCAGCTG3120     GGAGTTCCCTGACAACTACAACTCACCCACACCCTACAAGATCCAGTACAATGGGCTCAC3180     ACTGGATGTGGATGGCCGTACCACCAAGAAGCTCATCACGCACCTCAAGCCCCACACCTT3240     CTACAACTTTGTGCTGACCAATCGCGGCAGCAGCCTGGGCGGCCTCCAGCAGACGGTCAC3300     CGCCTGGACTGCCTTCAACCTGCTCAACGGCAAGCCCAGCGTCGCCCCCAAGCCTGATGC3360     TGACGGCTTCATCATGGTGTATCTTCCTGACGGCCAGAGCCCCGTGCCTGTCCAGAGCTA3420     TTTCATTGTGATGGTGCCACTGCGCAAGTCTCGTGGAGGCCAATTCCTGACCCCGCTGGG3480     TAGCCCAGAGGACATGGATCTGGAAGAGCTCATCCAGGACATCTCACGGCTACAGAGGCG3540     CAGCCTGCGGCACTCGCGTCAGCTGGAGGTGCCCCGGCCCTATATTGCAGCTCGCTTCTC3600     TGTGCTGCCACCCACGTTCCATCCCGGCGACCAGAAGCAGTATGGCGGCTTCGATAACCG3660     GGGCCTGGAGCCCGGCCACCGCTATGTCCTCTTCGTGCTTGCCGTGCTTCAGAAGAGCGA3720     GCCTACCTTTGCAGCCAGTCCCTTCTCAGACCCCTTCCAGCTGGATAACCCGGACCCCCA3780     GCCCATCGTGGATGGCGAGGAGGGGCTTATCTGGGTGATCGGGCCTGTGCTGGCCGTGGT3840     CTTCATAATCTGCATTGTCATTGCTATCCTGCTCTACAAGAACAAACCCGACAGTAAACG3900     CAAGGACTCAGAACCCCGCACCAAATGCCTCCTGAACAATGCCGACCTCGCCCCTCACCA3960     CCCCAAGGACCCTGTGGAAATGAGACGCATTAACTTCCAGACTCCAGGCATGCTTAGCCA4020     CCCGCCAATTCCCATCGCAGACATGGCGGAGCACACGGAGCGGCTCAAGGCCAACGACAG4080     CCTCAAGCTCTCCCAGGAGTATGAGTCCATCGACCCTGGACAGCAGTTCACATGGGAACA4140     TTCCAACCTGGAAGTGAACAAGCCGAAGAACCGCTATGCCAACGTCATCGCCTATGACCA4200     CTCCCGTGTCATCCTCCAGCCCATTGAAGGCATCATGGGCAGTGATTACATCAATGCCAA4260     CTACGTGGACGGCTACCGGCGTCAGAACGCGTACATTGCCACGCAGGGGCCGCTGCCTGA4320     GACCTTTGGGGACTTCTGGCGTATGGTGTGGGAGCAGCGGTCGGCGACCATCGTCATGAT4380     GACGCGGCTGGAGGAGAAGTCACGGATCAAGTGTGATCAGTATTGGCCCAACAGAGGCAC4440     GGAGACCTACGGCTTCATCCAGGTCACGTTGCTAGATACCATCGAGCTGGCCACATTCTG4500     CGTCAGGACATTCTCTCTGCACAAGAATGGCTCCAGTGAGAAACGCGAGGTCCGCCAGTT4560     CCAGTTTACGGCGTGGCCGGACCATGGCGTGCCCGAATACCCAACGCCCTTCCTGGCTTT4620     CCTGCGGAGAGTCAAGACCTGCAACCCACCAGATGCCGGCCCCATCGTGGTTCACTGCAG4680     TGCCGGTGTGGGCCGCACAGGCTGCTTTATCGTCATCGACGCCATGCTTGAGCGGATCAA4740     GCCAGAGAAGACAGTCGATGTCTATGGCCACGTGACGCTCATGAGGTCCCAGCGCAACTA4800     CATGGTGCAGACGGAGGACCAGTACAGCTTCATCCACGAGGCCCTGCTGGAGGCCGTGGG4860     CTGTGGCAACACAGAAGTGCCCGCACGCAGCCTCTATGCCTACATCCAGAAGCTGGCCCA4920     GGTGGAGCCTGGCGAACACGTCACTGGCATGGAACTCGAGTTCAAGCGGCTGGCTAACTC4980     CAAGGCCCACACGTCACGCTTCATCAGTGCCAATCTGCCTTGTAAGAAGTTCAAGAACCG5040     CCTGGTGAACATCATGCCCTATGAGAGCACACGGGTCTGTCTGCAACCCATCCGGGGTGT5100     GGAGGGCTCTGACTACATCAACGCCAGCTTCATTGATGGCTACAGGCAGCAGAAGGCCTA5160     CATCGCGACACAGGGGCCGCTGGCGGAGACCACGGAAGACTTCTGGCGCATGCTGTGGGA5220     GAACAATTCGACGATCGTGGTGATGCTGACCAAGCTGCGGGAGATGGGCCGGGAGAAGTG5280     TCACCAGTACTGGCCGGCCGAGCGCTCTGCCCGCTACCAGTACTTTGTGGTAGATCCGAT5340     GGCAGAATACAACATGCCTCAGTATATCCTGCGAGAGTTCAAGGTCACAGATGCCCGGGA5400     TGGCCAGTCCCGGACTGTCCGGCAGTTCCAGTTCACAGACTGGCCGGAACAGGGTGTGCC5460     AAAGTCGGGGGAGGGCTTCATCGACTTCATTGGCCAAGTGCATAAGACTAAGGAGCAGTT5520     TGGCCAGGACGGCCCCATCTCTGTCCACTGCAGTGCCGGCGTGGGCAGGACGGGCGTCTT5580     CATCACGCTTAGCATCGTGCTGGAGCGGATGCGGTATGAAGGCGTGGTGGACATCTTTCA5640     GACGGTGAAGATGCTACGAACCCAGCGGCCGGCCATGGTGCAGACAGAGGATGAGTACCA5700     GTTCTGTTACCAGGCGGCACTGGAGTACCTCGGAAGCTTTGACCACTATGCAACCTAAAG5760     CCATGGTCCCCCCCAGGCCCGACACCACTGGCCCCGGATGCCTCTGCCCCTCCCGGGCGG5820     ACCTCCTGAGGCCTGGACCCCCAGTGGGCAGGGCAGGAGGTGGCAGCGGCAGCAGCTGTG5880     TTTCTGCACCATTTCCGAGGACGACGCAGCCCCTCGAGCCCCCCCACCGGCCCCGGCCGC5940     CCCAGCGACCTCCCTGGCACGGCCGCCGCCTTCAAATACTTGGCACATTCCCCCGAATTC6000     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7:     (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     (A) LENGTH: 699 amino acids     (B) TYPE: amino acid     (C) STRANDEDNESS: single     (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7:     MetGluProPheCysProLeuLeuLeuAlaSerPheSerLeuSerLeu     151015     AlaArgAlaGlyGlnGlyAsnAspThrThrProThrGluSerAsnTrp     202530     ThrSerThrThrAlaGlyProProAspProGlyAlaSerGlnProLeu     354045     LeuThrTrpLeuLeuLeuProLeuLeuLeuLeuLeuPheLeuLeuAla     505560     AlaTyrPhePheArgPheArgLysGlnArgLysAlaValValSerSer     65707580     AsnAspLysLysMetProAsnGlyIleLeuGluGluGlnGluGlnGln     859095     ArgValMetLeuLeuSerArgSerProSerGlyProLysLysPhePhe     100105110     ProIleProValGluHisLeuGluGluGluIleArgValArgSerAla     115120125     AspAspCysLysArgPheArgGluGluPheAsnSerLeuProSerGly     130135140     HisIleGlnGlyThrPheGluLeuAlaAsnLysGluGluAsnArgGlu     145150155160     LysAsnArgTyrProAsnIleLeuProAsnAspHisCysArgValIle     165170175     LeuSerGlnValAspGlyIleProCysSerAspTyrIleAsnAlaSer     180185190     TyrIleAspGlyTyrLysGluLysAsnLysPheIleAlaAlaGlnGly     195200205     ProLysGlnGluThrValAsnAspPheTrpArgMetValTrpGluGln     210215220     ArgSerAlaThrIleValMetLeuThrAsnLeuLysGluArgLysGlu     225230235240     GluLysCysTyrGlnTyrTrpProAspGlnGlyCysTrpThrTyrGly     245250255     AsnIleArgValCysValGluAspCysValValLeuValAspTyrThr     260265270     IleArgLysPheCysIleHisProGlnLeuProAspSerCysLysAla     275280285     ProArgLeuValSerGlnLeuHisPheThrSerTrpProAspPheGly     290295300     ValProPheThrProIleGlyMetLeuLysPheLeuLysLysValLys     305310315320     ThrLeuAsnProSerHisAlaGlyProIleValValHisCysSerAla     325330335     GlyValGlyArgThrGlyThrPheIleValIleAspAlaMetMetAsp     340345350     MetIleHisSerGluGlnLysValAspValPheGluPheValSerArg     355360365     IleArgAsnGlnArgProGlnMetValGlnThrAspValGlnTyrThr     370375380     PheIleTyrGlnAlaLeuLeuGluTyrTyrLeuTyrGlyAspThrGlu     385390395400     LeuAspValSerSerLeuGluArgHisLeuGlnThrLeuHisSerThr     405410415     AlaThrHisPheAspLysIleGlyLeuGluGluGluPheArgLysLeu     420425430     ThrAsnValArgIleMetLysGluAsnMetArgThrGlyAsnLeuPro     435440445     AlaAsnMetLysLysAlaArgValIleGlnIleIleProTyrAspPhe     450455460     AsnArgValIleLeuSerMetLysArgGlyGlnGluPheThrAspTyr     465470475480     IleAsnAlaSerPheIleAspGlyTyrArgGlnLysAspTyrPheMet     485490495     AlaThrGlnGlyProLeuAlaHisThrValGluAspPheTrpArgMet     500505510     ValTrpGluTrpLysSerHisThrIleValMetLeuThrGluValGln     515520525     GluArgGluGlnAspLysCysTyrGlnTyrTrpProThrGluGlySer     530535540     ValThrHisGlyAspIleThrIleGluIleLysSerAspThrLeuSer     545550555560     GluAlaIleSerValArgAspPheLeuValThrPheLysGlnProLeu     565570575     AlaArgGlnGluGluGlnValArgMetValArgGlnPheHisPheHis     580585590     GlyTrpProGluValGlyIleProAlaGluGlyLysGlyMetIleAsp     595600605     LeuIleAlaAlaValGlnLysGlnGlnGlnGlnThrGlyAsnHisPro     610615620     IleThrValHisCysSerAlaGlyAlaGlyArgThrGlyThrPheIle     625630635640     AlaLeuSerAsnIleLeuGluArgValLysAlaGluGlyLeuLeuAsp     645650655     ValPheGlnAlaValLysSerLeuArgLeuGlnArgProHisMetVal     660665670     GlnThrLeuGluGlnTyrGluPheCysTyrLysValValGlnAspPhe     675680685     IleAspIlePheSerAspTyrAlaAsnPheLys     690695     __________________________________________________________________________ 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated and purified DNA molecule encoding a PTP-OB protein wherein said protein consists of the amino acid of SEQ ID NO:5.
 2. An isolated and purified DNA molecule encoding a PTP-OB protein wherein said DNA molecule consists of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:6.
 3. An expression vector for the expression of a PTP-OB protein in a recombinant host cell wherein said expression vector contains the DNA molecule of claim
 2. 4. A host cell which expresses a recombinant PTP-OB protein wherein said host cell contains the expression vector of claim
 3. 5. A process for the expression of a PTP-OB protein in a recombinant host cell, comprising:(a) transfecting or transforming the expression vector of claim 3 into a suitable host cell; and (b) culturing the host cells of step (a) under conditions which allow expression of the PTB-OB protein from the expression vector. 